Defend International (DI) has been informed by reliable sources of the case of Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, a leading member of Yeketi Party in Syria.

DI believes that he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his peaceful political activities.

 

Result of DI Action:

• On March 5, 2008, the Syrian authorities released Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed.

 

 Campaign Status: Closed

Information about the campaign:

Name: Maarof Mullah Ahmed 

Sex: Male

Age: 54

Authorities: Syrian

Category: Fear of torture or ill-treatment / incommunicado detention / prisoners of conscience

The case:

According to information received from Syria and Norway, Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, leading member of the Kurdish Democratic Unity Party in Syria (or Yeketi Party), was arrested on August 12, 2007, while travelling to Lebanon to visit friends. He was detained by Syrian State Security at a checkpoint near the country’s border with Lebanon.

He was believed to be detained incommunicado at Amn Al-Dawla, in the capital, Damascus, but now he has been transferred to Al-Fayhaa branch which puts him at grave risk of torture and/or other forms of ill-treatment.

Defend International believes that he may be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his peaceful political activities.

 

DI Demands:

Defend International calls upon the Syrian authorities to release Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed immediately and unconditionally unless he is charged with a recognizable criminal offence and given a fair and prompt trial.

As a state party to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Syria must uphold its obligations as defined in the Convention, including ensuring that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed will not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Defend International urges the Syrian authorities to make immediate arrangements for Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed to get access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family and any medical treatment he needs.

 

DI campaign:

Please copy the following appeals, add your signature and address and send them to arrive as soon as possible.

With thanks and appreciation

Defend International

_______________________________ 

His Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad

President of the Republic

Presidential Palace

Al-Rashid Street

Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

Fax: +963 11 332 3410

 

Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, who was reportedly detained on 12 August 2007 at a checkpoint near the country’s border with Lebanon.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is not tortured.

Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions.

He must get a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party, or to be released.

I wish you to remind the authorities in Al-Fayhaa Branch that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,

 

_______________________________

His Excellency Minister of Interior,

Ministry of Interior

Abdul Rahman Shahbandar Street

Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

Fax: + 963 11 2223428

Email: somi@net.sy

 

Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, who was reportedly detained on 12 August 2007 at a checkpoint near the country’s border with Lebanon.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is not tortured.

Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions.

He must get a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party, or to be released.

I wish you to remind the authorities in Al-Fayhaa Branch that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,

 

_______________________________

His Excellency Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Al-Nasr Street
Damascus

Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: +963 11 666 2460
Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, who was reportedly detained on 12 August 2007 at a checkpoint near the country’s border with Lebanon.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is not tortured.

Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions.

He must get a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party, or to be released.

I wish you to remind the authorities in Al-Fayhaa Branch that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,

 

_______________________________

His Excellency Walid Muallim
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
al-Rashid Street
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic
Fax: + 963 11 332 7620

Your Excellency,

By this letter, I wish to draw your attention to the case of Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed, who was reportedly detained on 12 August 2007 at a checkpoint near the country’s border with Lebanon.

I am concerned that he is detained incommunicado, where torture is most frequently practiced according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I urge you to ensure that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is not tortured.

Furthermore I would like to point out that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed is a possible prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of his opinions.

He must get a fair hearing in accordance with international standards for fair trial, including the right to a hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in accordance with the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, to which Syria is a state party, or to be released.

I wish you to remind the authorities in Al-Fayhaa Branch that Mr. Maarof Mullah Ahmed has the right to immediate and unrestricted access to his family, a lawyer, and any medical treatment he may need.

I hope for your urgent attention to this matter.

Yours respectfully,